Japanese Salutations

Want to blend in with Japanese speakers? This free audio lesson is full of Japanese salutations you need to know! Just a few minutes with the Rocket Japanese team and you'll have a range of common Japanese expressions to use when socializing with Japanese people.

Perhaps you want to welcome someone, or wish them a good trip. Maybe you want to congratulate someone, or even apologize – either way, this Japanese language lesson is not to be missed. Listen carefully to the Japanese salutations and practice saying the phrases aloud until you’re ready to try them out in Japanese conversation for real!

How to pronounce Japanese salutations

がんばれ！

頑張れ！

Ganbare!

All the best!

おしあわせ に！

お幸せに！

Oshiawase ni!

May you be happy!

たのしんで！

楽しんで！

Tanoshinde!

Have fun!

おつかれ さま！

お疲れ様！

Otsukare sama!

Thank you and goodbye!

よい たび を！

良い旅を！

Yoi tabi o!

Have a good trip!

おしょくじ を たのしん で！

お食事を楽しんで！

Oshokuji o tanoshin de!

Enjoy your meal!

かんぱい！

乾杯！

Kanpai!

Cheers!

おげんき で！

お元気で！

Ogenki de!

Good health!

こうふく を おいのり いたします

幸福をお祈りいたします

Kōfuku o oinori itashimasu!

Be lucky!

よく できました！

-

Yoku dekimashita!

Well done!

おからだ を たいせつ に！

お体を大切に！

Okarada o taisetsu ni!

Take care of your health!

おめでとう ございます！

おめでとう御座います！

Omedetō gozaimasu!

Congratulations!

ようこそ / いらっしゃい！

-

Yōkoso! / Irashai!

Welcome!

ざんねん です ね！

残念ですね！

Zannen desu ne!

It's such a pity!

たいへん です ね！

大変ですね！

Taihen desu ne!

That's tough!

おたんじょうび おめでとう！

お誕生日おめでとう！

Otanjōbi omedetō!

Best wishes on your birthday!

あなた に しゅくふく あれ！

あなたに祝福あれ！

Anata ni shukufuku are!

Bless you!

ふっかつ さい おめでとう！

復活祭おめでとう！

Fukkatsu sai omedetō!

Happy Easter!

メリー クリスマス！

-

Merī kurisumasu!

Merry Christmas!

しんねん おめでとう ございます

新年おめでとうございます

Shinnen omedetō gozaimasu!

Happy New Year! (formal)

おけまして おめでとう！

明けましておめでとう！

Akemashite omedetō!

Happy New Year! (casual)

Let’s review how to apologize again. The easiest way to apologize in Japanese is to say…